SOURCES SOUGHT
99 -- Sources Sought for Cast plus blown film line, Albany, CA
- Notice Date
- 4/11/2023 9:56:11 AM
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- USDA ARS PWA AAO ACQ/PER PROP ALBANY CA 94710 USA
- ZIP Code
- 94710
- Solicitation Number
- 12905B23SS0026
- Response Due
- 4/25/2023 2:00:00 PM
- Point of Contact
- Paige C. Francis, Phone: 5203166314
- E-Mail Address
-
paige.francis@usda.gov
(paige.francis@usda.gov)
- Description
- This is a Sources Sought notice Only.� This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations.� This Sources Sought is issued for information and planning purposes only as part of USDA ARS market research and does not itself constitute an RFQ. This requirement is covered under NAICS code 334516. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified sources; Small Businesses; HUBZone small business; service-disabled, veteran-owned small business; 8(a) small business; veteran-owned small business; woman-owned small business; or small disadvantaged businesses; Responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. Cast plus blown film line minimum specifications: Extruder must have mono blown film unit for processing of water-soluble resins and other thermoplastic materials. Extruder must have a complete cast film unit. Must be industry standard for Research & Development projects in the plastics industry. Reproducible experiments with small quantities (2-3 lbs.) of material � Small batch quantities save material, time, and equipment costs, enabling rapid iteration with many potential formulations and provides a quick working assessment of samples and processing conditions. Reproducible tensile and barrier properties are crucial to reliable understanding of how materials will be scaled up in a commercial setting. Test results on the equipment may be easily used for scaling projects, allowing a good prediction of industrial processes. Must have flexibility to allow conversion of cast line films to blown films in less than an hour while running. Must be a modular unit. Allows use for current and future projects and upgrades. Allows upgrade to multi-layer line � Single-layer biopolymer films often possess poor barrier and/or mechanical properties. A multi-layer line would enable biopolymers to be processed as multi-layer films (e.g., layer 1 for mechanical properties, layer 2 for moisture barrier), resulting in superior performance that can compete with the performance of traditional plastics, while incorporating the renewable sourcing and end-of-life degradability advantage of biopolymers. Must be versatile to enable processing blown and cast films to enable researchers to match the film processing category (cast vs blown) according to the needs of a specific formulation. For example, an otherwise promising material with poor melt strength may process well as a cast film, while another material might need to be processed as a blown film to avoid pinholes and leakage of liquid products. User friendly interface � This feature allows the equipment can be run by new personnel with little training time involved. A user-friendly interface makes this equipment accessible to experienced and new users, and allows use by new personnel, student interns and experienced technicians making it intuitive operation. Monitors and instrument settings are up front on the monitor. Small footprint, easy to maintain, fast cool-down � Maintenance and upkeep is essential to the longevity of polymer processing equipment. Many of the users in our unit will be novices or of intermediate skill, which requires straightforward maintenance protocols. Short-change over times for material and process changes � Novel biopolymer compositions require rapid, iterative formulating and processing runs. A short change-over time accelerates the process by which processing, and formulation can be optimized in parallel. Must have a stainless option for corrosion prevention when using potentially corrosive materials. A key benefit is the small size of samples needed coupled with the fast turn over for very quick R&D screening work we do.� 1 kg sample is good to get a quick but solid assessment, samples, and process conditions.� Coupled with quick clean out transition this makes the Teach line an ideal fit for R&D work. Modular interchange possibilities done simply.� Moving from cast to blown or multilayer enables us to expand capabilities easily assuming we bought the modules down the road.� Switch over was done on last trial in ~30 minutes and was fully running. Very small footprint and super easy to clean- fast cool down, push out screws, brush and done. Strong and long lasting reputation in industry.� Historically long service life of equipment.� Expert technical support and advice team. Easy process interface � visually super simple to understand, track and adjust. Stainless option for corrosion prevention of aggressive or difficult materials. The Government does not intend to make an award based on responses to this inquiry. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. Capability Statement All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. Business concerns that possess the capabilities necessary to undertake this work should submit complete documentation of their capabilities to the Contracting Officer.� Capability statements shall include the Contractors contact point to discuss their response. The capability statement should include: 1)� Acknowledgement that they are able to provide the subject supplies/services being requested; 2) Interested vendors should identify their size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration; 3) At least three previous requirements that are similar to the requirement include a discussion of the Contract type, delivery method, duration, etc.; 4) Any other information considered relevant to this requirement; and 5) The government requests that no proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in the response. Any vendor responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine their qualifications to perform the work.� Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted.� After review of the responses received, a combined synopsis/solicitation may be published on sam.gov depending on the responses received. All responses to this Sources Sought Notice must be received by the notice�s POC by the deadline in order to be considered. Responses may not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Inquiry. Do not submit pricing information in response to this Request.
- Web Link
-
SAM.gov Permalink
(https://sam.gov/opp/369046dfdead40c7b7a8aca440ed0cbe/view)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Albany, CA 94710, USA
- Zip Code: 94710
- Country: USA
- Zip Code: 94710
- Record
- SN06647596-F 20230413/230411230113 (samdaily.us)
- Source
-
SAM.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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